Dorchester Awning is Making Protective Face Shields for COVID-19 First Responders!

April 7, 2020

For over 100 years, Dorchester Awning Company in Massachusetts has been serving the New England area, designing, crafting, and installing some of the most beautiful and versatile awnings, canopies, and related structures throughout the area. Our 24,000-square-foot factory and warehouse has seen a lot of work over that time, and we’re proud to have been the choice of so many property owners. But today, as the nation faces a critical period in its history, we’re prouder still to be able to do our part during these difficult times. As we wait for COVID-19 to run its course, Dorchester Awning has turned from producing the awnings we’re known and loved for, to designing and creating critically-needed personal protection gear for the men and women on the front lines of this battle. Today, we’re making important personal protection gear that healthcare providers and first responders in Massachusetts can count on to safely meet the needs of our citizens.

“I did a quick internet search,” said Mark Lampson, President of Dorchester Awning in Massachusetts, “and realized we could start making face shields here, within our facilities. The design is surprisingly simple and not very high-tech.”

Lampson and his wife, Andrea, have created a mini production line, crafting the face shields themselves by hand. Each piece is comprised of a 30mm piece of clear vinyl, a foam strip and some glue — a simple but effective design that offers protection to the people who need it most — doctors, nurses and first-responders of all stripes. 

“I had to do a little digging to find the right outlets for the materials we needed to make them,” said Lampson — and he did, through marine and auto parts suppliers. Dorchester Awning hopes to create hundreds of face shields for hospitals, clinics, police and fire departments around New England. To date, one large area hospital — Beth Israel Deaconess — has gladly accepted 100 donated face shields, with more to follow.

Of course, all of us at Dorchester Awning are looking forward to the day when we won’t have to make this important protective gear anymore, and we can get back to doing what it is we do best — designing and installing the best awnings and canopies in New England!  Like a lot of other small, family owned and operated businesses in the country, we have felt the adverse effects of this pandemic. But we’re confident that once it passes (and it will!) we’ll be ready to serve our communities in the ways we’re best known for, and will be stronger than ever. Now is the time to reach out to us for your upcoming needs, whether they be for residential or commercial application. We’re still here for you. And we’re still as committed as ever to providing your home or business with the very best in beautiful and functional awnings and canopies.

Dorchester Awning Company in Massachusetts is here for you, now and in the future! If you’d like to find out more about our custom awnings, get in touch today!